Journal of Indian Society of Hospital Waste Management

Abstracts of Annual Conference of Indian Society of Hospital Waste Management (ISHWMCON 2024)

Indian Society of Hospital Waste Management — Wed, 25 Jun 2025 00:00:00 +0530

We are pleased to present the abstracts submitted in the Annual Conference of Indian Society of Hospital Waste Management (ISHWMCON 2024), being organized by University Environment Department, King George's Medical University Lucknow, U.P.

The theme of this year conference is "Managing Healthcare Waste for a Sustainable Future"

Dental Amalgam, Mercury Exposure, and Best Management Practices: A Comprehensive Review

Pragya Pandey, Himanshu Dandu, Kirti Srivastava, Mohammad Parvez Khan — Wed, 25 Jun 2025 00:00:00 +0530

Dental amalgam has been used for more than a century as a cost-effective, durable restorative material, yet it remains controversial due to its mercury content and its potential impact on occupational health and the environment. Mercury is a well-recognized neurotoxin, and dental personnel are particularly susceptible to chronic exposure during amalgam manipulation, removal, and inadequate waste disposal. In the environment, inorganic mercury released from dental settings may convert into methylmercury, a highly toxic compound that bioaccumulates in aquatic ecosystems and poses serious public health risks. Studies in India highlight significant gaps in awareness and adherence to mercury hygiene protocols, with improper disposal practices, lack of protective measures, and absence of regulatory compliance frequently reported. Globally, the Minamata Convention on Mercury has catalyzed efforts to reduce or eliminate amalgam use, with several countries instituting complete bans or major phase-down strategies. This review consolidates current evidence, discusses environmental and occupational hazards of mercury exposure, examines international and national policy directions, and outlines best management practices for safer amalgam handling and disposal. Strengthening institutional protocols, professional training, and adherence to environmental guidelines is essential for ensuring safe and sustainable dental practice.

Quality Assessment of Endocrine Surgery Department in the In-patient Services using National Quality Assurance Standards in a Tertiary Care Hospital: An Observational Study

Saumya Rawat, Kulranjan Singh, Himanshu Dandu, Pradeep Srivastava — Wed, 25 Jun 2025 00:00:00 +0530

Background: The National Quality Assurance Standards (NQAS) aim to enhance quality of the health facilities by aligning with global best practices along with addressing the specific needs of the healthcare system. Currently, NQAS applies to District Hospitals, CHCs, PHCs, Urban PHCs, and HWC-SCs. These above-mentioned standards help providers assess and improve their quality of care, with the possibility of certification.

Objectives: In the Endocrine Surgery Department of the Tertiary Care Hospital, an observational study was done to assess the compliance of In-Patient Department (IPD) with a customized NQAS checklist, including any recommendations for improvement.

Methodology: This observational study was conducted in the IPD of the Endocrine Surgery Department of a Tertiary Care Hospital in North India. All other departments were excluded from the study. The Compliance for the study was evaluated by using a customized NQAS checklist, with a scoring toolkit (0, 1, 2), based on Observations (OB), Patient Interviews (PI), Staff Interviews (SI), and Record Reviews (RR). The scoring toolkit was as per NQAS guidelines.

Results: The NQAS compliance assessment within the IPD of the Endocrine Surgery Department focused on eight "Areas of Concern": Service Provision, Patient Rights, Inputs, Support Services, Clinical Care, Infection Control, Quality Management, and Outcomes. The overall compliance in results was found to be 84%. The highest compliance was in Service Provision (100%), while Outcome showed 0% compliance.

Conclusion: The IPD demonstrated varying levels of compliance across the eight NQAS areas. While several standards were fully compliant, others were partially or non-compliant, emphasizing the need for targeted quality improvement efforts.

Device-Associated Hospital-Acquired Infections in ICU and HDU: A Cross-Sectional Study

Wed, 25 Jun 2025 00:00:00 +0530

Background: Hospital-acquired infections (HAIs), particularly device-associated infections, continue to be a major cause of preventable morbidity and mortality in critical care settings. Intensive Care Units (ICUs) and High Dependency Units (HDUs) are especially vulnerable due to frequent use of invasive devices and prolonged hospital stays.

Objective: To determine the incidence and pattern of device-associated hospital-acquired infections in ICU and HDU settings of a tertiary care government hospital and to assess microbiological profiles and sample contamination rates.

Methods: A cross-sectional observational study was conducted over two months in the ICU and HDU of the Medicine Department. Device-days for urinary catheters, central venous lines, and ventilators were recorded. CAUTI, CLABSI, and VAP rates were calculated per 1000 device-days using standardized definitions. Microbiological culture reports were analyzed, and data were subjected to descriptive statistical analysis.

Results: Hospital-acquired infections were observed in 8.4% of admitted patients. Device-associated infection rates were CAUTI 3.37%, CLABSI 2.50%, and VAP 2.53%, with higher rates observed in ICU compared to HDU. Gram-negative organisms predominated, including Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Klebsiella pneumoniae, and Acinetobacter baumannii. Sample contamination rates were notably high, reflecting gaps in aseptic collection practices.

Conclusion: The findings highlight a substantial burden of device-associated HAIs in critical care units. Strengthening infection prevention bundles, improving sample collection practices, and reinforcing antimicrobial stewardship are essential to reduce HAI rates in resource-limited tertiary care settings.

Focus and Vision for Sustainable Biomedical Waste Management

Himanshu Dandu — Wed, 25 Jun 2025 00:00:00 +0530

Medical health-care activities protect and saves lives, but what about the waste and by-products generated by these activities? So, in Journal of Indian Society of Hospital Waste Management, the journal has envisioned its next journey to become a contributing force and encouraging the young researchers towards these issues. We have now adapted an online submission and review system to make the digital presence and publishing process smooth.
We should raise awareness of the risks related to health-care waste, and of safe practices. Hospitals waste management requires increased attention and diligence to avoid adverse health outcomes associated these wastes, including exposure to infectious agents and toxic substances.